Best of Business

There may now be more of a rat race for employers, than workers.  Seek job listings are up 35 percent year-on-year, with applications down 36 percent over the past two years.  Vacancies in retail have skyrocketed by 65 percent, healthcare 56 percent and 54 percent in manufacturing, transport and logistics.   Seek New Zealand Manager Rob Clark told Tim Dower for employers it's becoming a game of wh...

Business New Zealand is officially walking away from the Government's fair pay agreements.   The business lobby group sees them as unfair and unlawful, and believes they'll do more harm than good for workers.  Small Business Voice chief operating officer, Max Whitehead, told Tim Dower the agreements mean employers would be forced to engage with unions and workers would have to pay union fees.  “So...

After months of fighting over where to host the next America’s Cup, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold its AGM in Auckland. NZ Herald Wellington Business Editor Hamish Rutherford told Heather du Plessis-Allan it’s going to be a showdown. “Tomorrow will be probably the showdown of months and months, not only about where the America’s Cup has been held, but are the members on the side of...

It’s been a year and chances are if you’re a business owner, you just want to be paid before going off on holiday. But a lot of businesses stopped paying their invoices during the lockdown. So how do you go about getting invoices paid? Business doctor Jung Chun joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The annual report card for the sharemarket is out and unsurprisingly, it isn't looking too flash. The sharemarket is down a couple of percentage points this year, which is a big disappointment vs other global markets that have been strong. Milford Asset Management Portfolio Manager Mark Riggall joined Heather du Plessis-Allen. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls to have the Government rethink the way KiwiSaver is catered for women specifically. Auckland University Director of Retirement Policy Susan St John reckons the conventional career path for women is very different to that for men, with motherhood and other responsibilities getting in the way. She wants government contributions to be extended beyond the age of 65 to make up for lost...

As part of National's caucus reshuffle, Chris Luxon has issued his appointments for the primary industries. Barbara Kuriger has retained Agriculture, Todd Muller is Spokesperson for Oceans and Fisheries and Tim van de Molen has been named both Spokesperson for Horticulture and Associate Spokesperson for Agriculture. The Country host Jamie Mackay told Heather du Plessis-Allan the most interesting a...

This week's OneRoof property report said four out of five Kiwis believe house prices are too high and the market is looking similarly hot in Australia. Prices in major cities in Australia have gone up 19 per cent over the year to October according to Westpac. Economists here are wondering how long the house price surge will last. HSBC Chief Economist Paul Bloxham joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. L...

Just one out of New Zealand's 10 largest banks would be able to meet demand from depositors wanting to withdraw money in a very severe scenario which lasted more than six months, testing by the Reserve Bank has revealed. The banking regulator today released the results of two stress tests it has been undertaking on the banks this year. The Reserve Bank regularly tests the solvency of the banks but...

Tuesday Business with Wellington Business Editor Hamish Rutherford on small electricity retailers, Grant Robertson warning that some households will have to cut their cloth because of higher interest rates, and what Hamish makes of the National Party's shakeup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inland Revenue have undertaken its biggest-ever computer project, switching off its first computer system following a five-year transition to new technology.  Unisys last week unplugged the mainframe computers at its data centres in Auckland and on the Kapiti Coast that ran the tax system for more than 20 years.  The phased switch to a new software system has gone hand-in-hand with tax rules desig...

A NZ-made video game has topped a global sales chart after its first weekend of release.  Despite only being released on Friday, Icarus: First Cohort was the top seller on the giant global gaming platform Steam for the week ending December 5, despite only being released over the weekend.   RocketWerkz CEO Dean Hall told Mike Hosking that he really wants to see the video game industry in New Zealan...

Numbers are booming for those wanting to learn a trade.   There's been a 49 percent jump in apprenticeships since August of 2019.  Concave Construction Co-chair Graham Burke told Mike Hosking it's a direct result of the Government's Apprentice Boost policy.  “$1000 a month for the first year, and $500 a month for the second year. So, it’s had amazing results.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/list...

Reports that if you want to get into horticulture as a labourer, then kiwifruit is your best bet.   The latest NZ Kiwifruit grower industry report found employers paid between $27 and $29 per hour for picking green and gold kiwifruit.  It was an 18 percent increase compared to last year and also included employers offering other incentives.  Kiwifruit and apple grower in Motueka, co-owner of the H...

A big boost for New Zealand's reputation in the video gaming industry.  Developers Rocketwerkz new game 'Icarus: The First Cohort' is the top seller on a global platform called 'Steam'  In Layman's terms, it's like being number one the Billboard chart.  Duane Mutu is director of Let’s Play Live, an e-Sports and gaming company and he joined Tim Dower.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Chris Luxon has named his new caucus after becoming National leader. The new shadow cabinet boasts a mixture of youth and experience, with former leaders remaining prominently in the mix. NZME Business commentator Fran O’Sullivan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss the reshuffle and share her thoughts on the ranking. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grant Robertson is deflecting criticism over police officers being called in to man Auckland's northern border. It's understood about 300 cops will be redeployed there once Auckland's border lifts on Wednesday next week. The Deputy Prime Minister told Heather du Plessis-Allan this is an issue that Police are dealing with, not the Government. “Police have indicated publicly that they’ll have some s...

A solar farm big enough to power 20 percent of residential Christchurch is to be built at the city's airport.  Kowhai Park is 400 hectares of land at Christchurch Airport that will be used to generate renewable energy.  Phase one will deliver a 220-hectare solar array capable of generating 150 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 30,000 homes, on the airport campus.  Australian renewable ener...

It might cost a bit more for a wine or a beer in the traffic light system.  Aucklanders were able to head back to bars and restaurants over the weekend in the red setting.  The whole of the South Island is in Orange, along with Wellington and several other parts of the North Island.  Wellington's Panhead Bar owner Matt McLaughlin told Mike Hosking prices have gone up a little bit.  He says Covid i...

Almost two-thirds of Kiwis say property investors are a key reason why New Zealand's house prices have skyrocketed so high, a new poll has found.  About half also put the blame on foreign buyers, while around a third say the Labour Government has played a key role.  The new OneRoof-Kantar Housing Survey polled 1,000 Kiwis in October and is part of the latest OneRoof Property Report's investigation...

Auckland businesses are still missing out on a chunk of revenue - they're open, but stuck on the red.  The traffic light system has seen bars, cafes and restaurants open across the city for the first time in months.  People are required to use their vaccine passes for these places.  Hospitality New Zealand Auckland President Jamie Freeman told Tim Dower bars have to wrap things up around 11pm rath...

A new OneRoof report this morning paints a gloomy picture on housing affordability.  People believe it will get even worse over the next two years, with most of them blaming property investors and overseas buyers.  Infometrics' principal economist Brad Olsen joined Tim Dower.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rhythm and Vines organisers have announced they will be postponing the New Years event until the Easter weekend and Steve Newall, editor of flicks.co.nz joined Francesca Rudkin to discuss whether it is a good move or destined for disaster. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are fears New Zealand’s backpacking industry is on the verge of collapse.  A report has been released highlighting the dire situation and urging the Government to take action.  Author of the report and the Backpacking Youth Travel Association sector lead Brett Duncan joined Francesca Rudkin.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance expert Hannah McQueen talks about how to make 2022 a more fruitful one financially. While we can’t control Covid, she tells Jack Tame, there are other things within our control that people can focus on amid high inflation and rising interest rates. "Depending on your problem, there's a particular strategy that's appropriate." She said there are easy fixes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/l...